These Native American-Inspired Sneakers Make A Stand Against The Dakota Access Pipeline

Hot off the widely successful launch of their “Kultura” Asics Gel Lyte Vs, international streetwear and lifestyle boutique Commonwealth is releasing yet another sneaker collaboration—this time, with Clear Weather, an independent sneaker label that’s been gaining ground over the past year for its clean, classic shoes with a modern twist.

This time around, the collaboration is entitled “Smoke Signals,” and it involves a pair of low-top sneakers with asymmetrical moccasin stitching: the Clear Weather Santora, in a two-tone, Native American-inspired colorway. Its upper is made of supple Navajo suede in stone beige, with a sand brown mantle around its collar, and decorative beads with the initials C and W on its vamp, all on top of a translucent gray sole.

Altogether, these sneakers make for a clean, subtle addition to any rotation—great if you’re looking for something laidback and leisurely. Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out how well these would serve as a more casual (not to mention more affordable) alternative to Visvim’s Shaman or FBT. They bear the same bohemian aesthetic, without the burden of wearing something on the pricier side.

IMAGE Commonwealth

IMAGE Commonwealth

Dropping in the Philippines on April 26.

But perhaps the best thing about these is that Commonwealth has promised to donate a portion of the “Smoke Signals” sales to the Legal Defense Fund of The Sacred Stone Camp, as a show of solidarity with the opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. We may remember it best as the protest movement that actress Shailene Woodley was arrested for participating in, but the struggle at Standing Rock is a significant one that involves the environment, public health, and human rights. When complete, the Dakota Access Pipeline is intended to cross under the Missouri river twice, threatening the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, as well as the flora and fauna along the riverbank. Efforts to thwart its construction have legal arms, and these sneakers are a small form of support for them.

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While the issue is thousands of miles away, it’s nice to know that there’s a noble cause behind these great shoes. The “Smoke Signals” Santoras will be releasing here in the Philippines on Wednesday, April 26, at the Commonwealth store in SM Aura.

In the 15 years since The Wire, Elba has starred in blockbusters and art house films, won a Golden Globe, released two albums, founded a production house, received an OBE, launched a clothing label and made his directing debut. He's only just getting started.